Barnes: Justify 'Breathing Fire' for Belmont Stakes

Justify schooled in the starting gate before galloping about 1 1/8 mile Friday morning at Churchill Downs, and assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes was again more than happy with what he saw.

“He’s just breathing fire out there,” Barnes said. “You can tell he’s feeling full of himself. He’s happy with what he’s doing, and that’s most important. He is getting fitter and fitter each day. He has a solid foundation under him now, and I think he’s ready to take the big step forward.”

Justify is scheduled to gallop Saturday and Sunday at 7:30 ET and breeze Monday, according to Barnes. Bob Baffert is expected to be on hand from California by Sunday or Monday.

After Justify left the track, Restoring Hope galloped 1 1/2 mile in preparation for team Baffert.